FG to curb sale of adulterated agricultural inputs

Olaseinde Gbenga

The Federal Government has said it will halt rampant fake agricultural inputs proliferation in the country, saying it is causing huge losses for farmers and affecting productivity.

Specifically, the Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in Kano, Alhaji Abba Gana Yamani, gave the assurance at a sensitisation program organised by the Farm Inputs Support Services Department of the Ministry at Sabon Gari market in Kano, on Monday.

The Director informed that the sensitisation campaign was to educate all key players on the dangers of increasing fake agricultural products in the country.

According to him, “This sensitisation training is geared toward enlightening the public and stakeholders, which includes agro-dealers who sell agro chemical pesticides to farmers on the dangers of fake agricultural products.

“FMARD has commenced the registration of agrochemical manufactures and agro-dealers selling fertilisers and agrochemical pesticides to farmers.”

On his part, Director of Farm Inputs, FMARD, Alhaji Bashir Dutsinma said the sensitisation would ensure Nigerian farmers have access to high-quality inputs, fertilisers, and plant pesticides.

He said, having access to high-quality fertiliser and inputs would greatly help, in an efficient and cost-effective manner, to increase agricultural production, and ensure food security in the country.

Also, National President of Agro Inputs Dealers Association, Alhaji Kabiru Umar Fara, lauded the Federal Government through FMARD for organising the sensitisation training.